Bear-papa licked my face.
Specifically, he licked away my Nectar.
He savored every drop of the Nectar overflowing from my mouth, wearing an expression of uncontrollable joy. I was delighted that he found it so palatable. Personally, I found the sensation of a bear’s tongue on my skin repulsive no matter how many times I experienced it, but I suppose that didn't matter now.
Suddenly, Bear-papa’s behavior changed. He began foaming at the mouth and thrashing about in a frenzy.
It made sense. It must have been agonizing. I understood his pain, truly.
After all, that Nectar was Poison-filled Nectar. It was pure Poison Nectar.
If I could produce Poison Pollen and craft Poison Apples, it stood to reason that I could generate poison nectar as well. Through various experiments, I had eventually succeeded in creating it. Moreover, the toxicity was even more potent than the poison of the Briar. I could only imagine what happened when something like that was ingested directly into the body.
Bear-papa clawed at his own throat. Despite the pain, a massive, waterfall-like torrent of drool spilled from his mouth. It seemed his craving for the Nectar far outweighed his suffering. Having tasted it once, his body had been conditioned to crave it more, regardless of the consequences.
I wondered who could have trained him to be like that?
What a hopeless father.
It was a desperate measure—letting the flesh be cut to sever the bone—since I had to let him lick me to deliver the dose, but the effect was tremendous. It worked wonders on a Nectar Addict. Even if the sweet Nectar was laced with toxins, the flavor was so intoxicating that his taste buds likely registered nothing but overwhelming sweetness.
Even if he suspected the Nectar was poison, he wouldn't be able to stop. He couldn't help himself; the Nectar was right there.
That was exactly how that Nectar Addict boy had behaved, constantly seeking my Nectar. Bear-papa, who had spent hours licking my face, was now a Nectar Addict himself. He had spent an entire month hiding in his nest because the Nectar Ball I gave him was just that delicious, hadn't he?
He wanted more. I could see it. So, I decided to let him have another taste of this Poison-filled Nectar.
However, I had something even better than simple Poison Nectar. I decided to give it to Bear-papa as a reward. He might have turned down my invitation to dance, but I felt obligated to thank him for attending the Ball. I had my pride as the host, after all.
I produced the greatest gift I had for him, something I had been secretly preparing over the last month. This was what he truly wanted, far more than ordinary Nectar.
As Bear-papa panted, his drool hitting the dirt, I spat a special prize out from deep within my body. I caught the object in both hands.
It was a Nectar Ball. But it wasn't just any Nectar Ball; it was a Special Nectar Ball.
I hadn't infused this one with Recovery Magic, of course. It was filled with poison—a lethal, concentrated toxin. I had been preparing this specific Nectar Ball for a month, designing it to be the ultimate weapon for our inevitable rematch. This was a Custom-made Poison Nectar Ball, a lethal concoction I had concentrated for over thirty days, layering toxin upon toxin. Its potency was bound to be absolute.
"Here you go. Do have a taste."
I gripped the Poison Nectar Ball with a Vine and held it out before Bear-papa’s face. He stared at it intently. It gave off a sweet, alluring aroma. He remembered how delicious the last one was, didn't he? It was sweet enough to make one feel as if they were ascending to heaven. He clearly wanted to experience that bliss again.
"Now, now, Bear-papa. It’s bad manners to drool while foaming at the mouth."
Was he hesitating? Was he suspicious because the previous Nectar had been poisoned? He was free to doubt me if he wished. But if he didn't take this, he would never taste my Nectar again.
Bear-papa’s tongue slowly approached the Vine. Though blood was already weeping from his eyes and mouth, he couldn't stop himself. He had to have it.
"I understand, Bear-papa. Go on, eat. This shall be your Last Supper."
I wanted him to remember one thing, though: this was all his fault for licking me so much. I had no intention of forgiving him for that humiliation. This was how I would have my revenge.
I was angry because he licked me. Because he licked me, his body was being ravaged by poison. Because he licked me, his life would now be snuffed out twice over. I would never have to endure that indignity again.
Still, even for an enemy, I felt it was only right to show a little mercy at the very end. I was aiming to be a kind and beautiful flower, after all. So, instead of salt, I gave my enemy a Nectar Ball. A jewel-like mass of poison containing the ultimate secret ingredient.
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Bear-papa lunged, biting into the Poison Nectar Ball and the Vine holding it. Then, with an expression of pure euphoria, he collapsed to the ground.
He foamed profusely at the mouth, his eyes rolling back into his head. Yet, even in death, his face looked strangely happy, as if he were basking in a final moment of supreme joy.
"Bear-papa, thank you for your hard work as the Lord of the Forest. You did your best."
I really was a kind soul. After all, I had been a Saint in my Previous Life. To ensure he didn't suffer, I chose to kill him with the Nectar he loved so much.
"Rest in peace while you savor that sweetness. Good night, Bear-papa."
And with that, Bear-papa fell silent forever.
Next time: Seat of the Lord of the Forest.